Related

The Biodome is a unique nature museum that recreates four different ecosystems - tropical rainforest, Laurentian maple forest, Gulf of St. Lawrence and sub-polar - under one roof.

What do you mean by recreate?

When you enter each distinct ecosystem, it looks and feels as if you are actually there, right down to the temperature, the foliage and the animals that live in the region.

Animals! Is it a museum or a zoo?

It's both - and more. Since you see the thousands of animals that live in the Biodome in their natural habitats, you could call it a zoo, but it is also an aquarium and a botanical garden.

This is all inside one building?

Amazing, isn't it? The Biodome is the only place in the world that brings four ecosystems, each with widely different climates, together under one roof. It is also the only place of its kind to reproduce the cycle of the seasons indoors.

Tell me about these ecosystems.

As you walk through the door into the tropical rainforest, you are instantly transported to another world. It's about 26 degrees in here with 70 per cent humidity. Lush foliage surrounds you. An alligator sits very still in the stream below. Monkeys and hundreds of birds play in the tall trees and all kinds of little creatures are scurrying by below. A yellow anaconda is curled up behind glass, a stingray swims by in an aquarium and bats are in flight.

Did you say flying bats?

Fortunately, the dark and creepy bat cave is behind glass. The day/ night cycle inside the habitat is reversed, so the bats are active during the day when visitors can see them.

What do you see in the Laurentian maple forest?

This ecosystem will be familiar because it's just like your backyard or your cottage. Temperature and lighting are adjusted for each season, so the leaves of the birch and maple trees change colours in the fall, plants go dormant in the winter and bud again in the spring.

What animals live in the Laurentian forest?

Robins, orioles, yellowthroats fly around overhead. A beaver dam sits on a stream while its occupants lounge on the shore along with porcupines and otters. Ducks, trout, bass and whitefish swim by in an enormous aquarium. Two lynx, perfectly camouflaged against a hill of boulders, go for a stroll to the delight of onlookers.

What is the Gulf of St. Lawrence ecosystem like?

This area offers a view of life both on land and under the water. A giant underwater observatory provides a glimpse of hundreds of fish that live in the cold salt water, including cod, striped bass, halibut and salmon. Above the water, ducks leisurely float by and seabirds nest along the craggy shoreline.

Are there penguins in the subpolar ecosystem?

You bet! The 60 penguins that live in the recreated sub-Antarctic region are undoubtedly the superstars of the Biodome. Fascinated crowds of children and adults cram in front of the glass enclosure to watch them waddle around with wings outstretched, flop into the frigid water or hop up the snow-covered rocky paths. Microphones mounted inside their living space allow observers to hear their quack-like conversations.

Do all penguins look the same?

The penguins vary in size and distinguishing features. King penguins are the largest and stateliest. Marconi penguins have a tuft of bright yellow feathers protruding from behind their eyes. The long yellow and black feathers sticking out from the top of the Rockhopper penguins' heads make them look like mad scientists.

Where is the Biodome?

The Biodome is in the east end of Montreal inside the velodrome (cycling stadium) built for the 1976 Summer Olympics. The address is 4777 avenue Pierre-De Coubertin.

How do I get there?

Drive Highway 40 through Montreal and take Exit 76, Boulevard Viau. Follow Rue Viau to the Biodome. The closet Metro station is Viau.

Is there parking?

Outdoor parking is $10 a day. Underground parking is $13.

When is it open?

Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) The museum is closed Mondays from September to February.

How much does it cost?

Admission is $16.50 for adults; $12.50 for seniors and students older than 18; $8.25 for children 5 to 17, and $2.50 for children 2 to 4.

Anything else I should know?

Also located on the grounds of the former Olympic Park is the Insectarium and Botanical Garden. Special admission packages are available for a combined visit.

Benita Baker is a former Montrealer who never tires of rediscovering the city she grew up in.

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.